Smoke detectors may be required in Boy Scouts camp tents

A Michigan lawmaker is incensed that the Michigan Department of Human Services is requiring smoke detectors in the camp tents of the Boy Scouts.

Rep. Ken Goike, a Republican from Macomb County’s Ray Township, says the DHA has told the Michigan Crossroads Council of the Boy Scouts that summer camp tents will be required to have smoke detectors.

He said he found out about the requirement on the floor of the Michigan House Tuesday.

Goike wants that requirement rescinded.

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“It’s unbelievable that the state would issue such an impractical edict, especially with all the serious challenges we currently face in Michigan with our economy and roads,” Goike said.

Goike said the requirement is pointless, costly and “defies common sense.”

“Implementation of this new requirement will cost thousands of dollars, not to mention the impracticality of having a smoke detector at a campsite where bonfires are commonplace,” Goike said. “We need to work with the governor’s office to address this regulation, as we have many other times.”

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has made it a priority to reduce government regulations, sometimes poking fun at some of them, such as a regulation about how often barber shop wastebaskets have to be emptied.

The Michigan Crossroads Council, which oversees scouting in the Lower Peninsula, plans to meet with the DHS Friday, says Frank Reigelman, director of outdoor adventures.

Reigelman said the majority of tents used in scouting are small two-person tents. He hopes to get an exemption from the administrative rule requiring smoke detectors for those tents.

“We’re set to meet on Friday to talk about the whole matter, which I believe is going to be resolved,” he said. “What we would like to see is an exemption for our standard two-person tents we use throughout our camps.

“There’s no other regulation like this that we’ve been able find around the nation.”

Reigelman said the scouts didn’t become aware of the rule until last summer.

“It’s not just the Boy Scouts, it’s any licensed youth camp,” he said.

The DHS says it’s an administrative rule dating back to May 2009.

“There is room for interpretation of this rule, and while we always adhere to the highest standard of safety in the licensing of Michigan summer camps, we also believe that common sense should prevail,” said DHS spokesman David Akerly.

Akerly said the DHS had arranged a meeting with the Boy Scouts before Goike’s release went out “and are certain that the results that come from that meeting will be to their satisfaction on this issue.”

“Again, common sense will prevail, and kids will safely enjoy another great summer in our wonderful Michigan outdoors,” Akerly said.

About the Author

Charles Crumm leads the DataWorks team for Digital First Media in Michigan. He also covered politics for The Oakland Press. Read his Elections, Politics and Policy blog at http://oaklandmichiganpolitics.blogspot.com/. Reach the author at charlie.crumm@oakpress.com
or follow Charles on Twitter: @crummc.